Goal SPA Units

Goal SPA Units are refreshing because they help you succeed with ease.

Goal SPA units

Goal SPA units are the smallest practical actionable units (or pieces) into which you can break a goal. Goal SPA Units come in very handy when you want to set and accomplish micro goals.

What is a micro goal?

A micro goal is a bite-sized, usually single-step goal. It can be part of a larger goal, but doesn’t have to be. Even micro goals can be powerful and help you accomplish important things. I wrote more about micro goals on Joel Kessel’s blog.

Micro goals are far easier to accomplish than large (aka macro) goals are. We make progress on any given goal by completing individual steps. No one can complete a one-mile walk in one step, and the thought of someone trying to do that is comical. But, often, we expect that type of ability from ourselves and others. Making the steps small and easy to take makes it more likely that we’ll take them. Obvious, right? Then why do so many people try to complete large goals in one step? Break things down into smaller units, into goal SPA units, and see how much of a difference that makes in your accomplishments.

Using Goal SPA Units

Go ahead and set a big goal, a macro goal. Then break it up into smaller portions, whether by milestone or by aspect. Keep breaking them up until you have a list of micro goals. Keep going until you have the smallest bite you can imagine yourself doing. That’s the Goal SPA Unit (smallest practical actionable unit). Then treat yourself to some success by completing that Goal SPA Unit.
Here are some examples:

Call one person.

Write the subject line of an email.

Put on your exercise clothes.

Knock on the door.

Read one page of a book in your field.

Get out your art supplies.

Choose a title for your next blog post.

These could be worded in such a way that indicates they are to be completed on a set and regular basis (call one person a day), but they don’t have to be. Note that all of these start with verbs. That’s because Goal SPA Units areactionable units, tiny pieces you can do. Now that you know what Goal SPA Units are, find them for each of your goals. Pick one. Do it. Repeat this often, and you’ll develop the habit of using these refreshing Goal SPA Units and accomplishing microgoals. Here’s to your success!